The Renfrew Center is proud to join other eating disorder organizations throughout the country to celebrate Eating Disorders Awareness Week, held February 26 – March 3, 2024.
Our theme this year, In My Empowerment Era, is a celebration of recovery. Recovery from an eating disorder can feel nearly impossible. The ups and downs are so powerful they leave their marks on our memories.
This campaign is an opportunity to reflect and celebrate. This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, leaf through the pages of your journey like pages in your favorite book. Know that every chapter has its purpose, every era in life is beautiful in its own right. Choose to keep going, choose to let go of what doesn’t serve you and get ready to step into your Empowerment Era.
Eating Disorders and Mental Health
Eating disorders, which include conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, significantly impact individuals’ mental and physical well-being. Eating Disorders Awareness Week serves as a vital reminder of the importance of raising awareness about mental health issues, including eating disorders. This week encourages open conversations, education, and support to reduce stigma and provide resources for those affected by these disorders.
Mental Health Resources
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
- Mental Health America (MHA): MHA is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all.
- NoStigmas: NoStigmas is a safe space for mental health advocates, survivors, loved ones, and Allies to connect through honest conversations grounded in lived experiences.
- Project HEAL: Project HEAL’s programs break down systemic, healthcare, and financial barriers that millions of people in the U.S. face when trying to heal from their eating disorder.
- Eating Disorder Hope: EDH is an online community that offers resources, education, support, and inspiration to those struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, body image issues, and a myriad of other disordered eating behaviors.
- National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFCC): NAFCC operates community-based, non-profit, volunteer-supported free clinics serving the people without or with little health insurance.
- Hotlines:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: 1-800-662-4357
Resources for the BIPOC Community
- Asian Mental Health Collective: AMHC aspires to make mental health easily available, approachable, and accessible to Asian communities worldwide.
- Melanin & Mental Health: Melanin & Mental Health connect individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities.
- National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network: NQTTCN is a healing justice organization that works to transform mental health for queer and trans people of color.
- Therapy For Black Girls: Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
- Loveland Foundation: The Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls.
- Black Emotional and Mental Health (BEAM): BEAM is a national training, movement building, and grant making institution that is dedicated to the healing, wellness, and liberation of Black and marginalized communities.
- Latinx Therapy: Founded in 2018 with the mission to destigmatize mental health in the Latinx community.
- South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network: SAMHIN, was formed in 2014 to address a broad range of mental health needs of the growing South Asian community in the United States.
- Renfrew Blogs:
Resources for the LGBTQIA+ Community
- Trans Lifeline: Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
- The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ community.
- Pride Counseling: Pride Counseling provides a platform for the LGBTQ community to get the help they need affordably and conveniently.
- Renfrew Blogs:
- Hotlines:
- Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
- LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
- LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743
Resources for Students
- Active Minds: Active Minds supports mental health awareness and education for students by promoting mental health via peer-to-peer dialogue and interaction.
- To Write Love On Her Arms: TWLOHA is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
- Renfrew Blogs:
- Eating Disorders in College: Why Are Students Especially Vulnerable?
- College and Eating Disorders: Adjusting to Campus Life
- Eating Disorder Recovery at College: 10 Tips for Staying on Track [UPDATED]
- Eating Disorders in College Athletes: 10 Warning Signs & 10 Actionable Tips
- Eating Disorder Recovery During Summer Break: 7 Useful Tips for College Students
Conclusion
Remember that seeking help and support is a sign of strength, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. It’s important to find resources and approaches that resonate with your personal needs and preferences. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder or mental health issues, reaching out to a qualified mental health professional is always recommended.
Renfrew Specific Live Events
Virtual College Support Group
Date: Tuesday, February 27th at 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
College life often brings with it complex and difficult paths to navigate for students, particularly for those struggling with disordered eating. Academics, social situations and new levels of independence are exciting and yet, at times, stressful.
The Renfrew Center is pleased to offer a virtual support group to address the many challenges college students face while trying to balance recovery with their other ongoing responsibilities. Group members have opportunities to identify, share and affirm connections to themselves and others, building authentic and sustainable relationships.
Virtual Recovery Workshop: Starting Your Day with Empowerment
Date: Wednesday, February 28th at 10:00 am – 10:45 am
Start your day with group empowerment! We’ll discuss what empowerment is, why it is important in recovery and explore small things you can do every day to accept when your best isn’t where you want it to be. We hope you leave the group with a sense of bravery to keep going and the ability to empower yourself in your recovery and your life.
Virtual Art Therapy Group: Envisioning Eras in Recovery
Date: Thursday, February 29th at 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
This virtual art-based therapeutic workshop will give participants a chance to reflect on the various chapters in our recovery journeys. We will use art materials of our own choosing to visualize what was contained in these eras as a way to honor where we’ve been and where we are now, and to find empowerment through the changes in our lives.
Renfrew Specific On-Demand Events
Speak Now: Skills to Communicate, So the Eating Disorder Doesn’t Have To
Date: On Demand, beginning on Monday, February 26th
Eating disorders can serve many functions including a way of communicating without saying a word. One way to step into your Empowerment Era is to speak your wants, needs and emotions into the world so that the eating disorder does not do the speaking for you.
In line with this year’s EDAW theme, In My Empowerment Era, we will learn more about the role of communication and learn tools to speak your truth. Join us for an on-demand opportunity to begin identifying and expressing your emotions to disempower this aspect of the eating disorder.
Free Body Flow Yoga
Date: On Demand, beginning on Tuesday, February 27th
Movement should drop us into our bodies, not get us into our heads. In this on-demand yoga group, attendees will be guided through simple and relaxing movements to bring an openness to their bodies and peace to their minds. This flow will be slow in pace, and inclusive to all body types and abilities.
Renfrew Specific Instagram Events
Throughout the week, Renfrew will hold several LIVE events on our Instagram page. Be sure to follow us @RenfrewCenter for updates!
Instagram Takeover with Renfrew Alumna, Dayna Altman
Date: Monday, February 26th
Join Renfrew Alum, Dayna Altman, for a full-day Instagram Takeover. Dayna is an energetic and dynamic speaker, entrepreneur, author, creator, as well as the full force and sole operator of Bake it Till You Make it LLC.
Instagram Live: Q&A with a Dietitian
Date: Tuesday, February 27th at 12 pm
Join us on Instagram Live for an insightful session on meal support. Christine will share valuable tips, strategies and answer any questions you may have.
Instagram Live: Empower Your Recovery
Date: Wednesday, February 28th at 12 pm
Tune in to hear Ashley highlight this year’s campaign theme and remind you that every era in life is beautiful and every chapter has its own purpose. A mindfulness activity will be shared with the community as well.
Instagram Live: Author Spotlight: An Empowering Conversation with Emma Noyes
Date: Thursday, February 29th at 12:30 pm
Join us for an Instagram Live with author Emma Noyes. We’ll be discussing her book “Guy’s Girl,” exploring her path to recovery, and diving into many other topics.
Instagram Live: In My Empowerment Era: An Alum Shares Her Recovery Story
Date: Friday, March 1st at 12:30 pm
Renfrew Alumna, Gabriela, shares her empowering recovery story with us during this live conversation.
